Douglas County Sheriff's deputy stabbed by suspect during struggle and arrest

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - A 25-year-old Gardnerville man considered "armed and dangerous" was arrested Friday following a traffic enforcement stop.

Thomas James Meagher was pulled over by deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) in the area of Ironwood and Pinewood drives in Minden at 2:23 p.m. Meagher was wanted by the Nevada Department of Parolee and Probation and has had a very violent criminal history according to DCSO.

In the past weeks, Meagher contacted the Douglas County 911 dispatch center and advised that he was in the sheriff’s office parking lot and he wanted deputies to come out and kill him. It turned out he was not in the parking lot when calling 911. He also contacted the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office and stated, they better be prepared to kill him.

During the traffic stop Friday, Meager exited the passenger side of the vehicle with a knife and a standoff with deputies ensued. Deputies gave multiple verbal commands for Meager to drop the knife and comply, but he refused. Meagher began walking toward Ironwood Park, at which time deputies attempted to stop Meager with the use of multiple taser hits, which were ineffective. A number of less-lethal shotgun bean bag rounds were deployed, but they were also ineffective.

DCSO said, that in order to stop the suspect, a patrol canine was deployed. Meager unsuccessfully attempted to stab the canine. Meagher was then hit with another taser deployment which temporarily immobilized him. Deputies moved in to initiate the arrest, and during the struggle, Meagher stabbed one deputy in the arm. Subsequently, Meagher was taken into custody.

The deputy was transported to the hospital with a non-life-threatening wound and was treated and released.

Meager was also transported to the hospital for evaluation. After Meagher was released from the hospital, he was booked into the Douglas County Jail on his outstanding warrant from Nevada P&P and for battery with a deadly weapon on a Peace Officer, battery with a deadly weapon by a probationer, resisting arrest while armed with a deadly weapon and attempting to kill a police canine.